The Ultimate List of Travel Essentials

The secret to packing smart will not be found in a YouTube tutorial. (Rolling socks? How innovative!) The real trick, as our perpetually on-the-road editors will tell you, is to find those brilliantly designed lifesavers, like a natural hand sanitizer that won’t offend the entire cabin, headphones that will make coach as silent as a Zen garden, and these other balms, bags, and gear we can’t stop talking about.

This story was originally published in May 2017 and has been updated with new information.

In-Flight Beauty

Fake a Good Night Sleep: “For those of us too vain to get on an overnight flight sans makeup, these wipes clean, exfoliate, hydrate, and prep skin for that pre-landing swipe of bronzer.” — Rebecca Misner, West Coast Editor

Three Products In One: “I use this balm as a makeup remover, face cleanser, and moisturizer. Also it smells like vacation: a not-too-sweet blend of coconut, vanilla, and mango.” — Lauren DeCarlo, Deputy Editor

For the Germophobe: “I semi-obsessively use this sanitizer on my seat and tray table every time I fly. Nobody minds, though: the light scent of mandarin rind and rosemary leaf are quite welcome in economy." — Mara Balagtas, Style Editor

The Best Way to Stay Charged, Period: "You never know where that hotel room outlet is going to turn up, so I carry extra-long twin-head cables that can charge my phone and a speaker." — Paulie Dibner, Managing Editor

What to Wear

No Breaking In Necessary: “These ultra lightweight boots feel like your most comfortable sneakers right out of the box, so there's no need to spend the week before your trip breaking them in.“ — Andrea Whittle, Contributor

Maybe the Best Airplane Pants Ever: "These pants were made for travel. They're flexible enough incase you find yourself sprinting to your gate and comfortable enough to withstand an 8-hour flight. I love to throw them on in the morning while I'm running out to the nearest cafe to grab a coffee. — A.W.

Packing Upgrades

Dead-Simple Organization: "Not only do they make you a far better packer, but packing cubes are ideal for multi-city vacations. Plus, you can snap them up in fun, eye-popping colors." — Lale Arikoglu, Digital Lifestyle Editor